May through to June has been an exciting time. I had the great pleasure of playing in the Thüringia Bach Festival in Weimar in May and then toured with the Göttingen Händel Festival through May and June.I have been amazed by the Festspiele Orkester Göttingen (known colloquially as FOG). The quality of the music-making has been incredible. I was impressed with the string section in particular, as

The Stadtkirche St. Peter and Paul in Weimar (also known as the Herderkirche) was the setting for the Bachfest Weimar, 2014. I was invited to play first trumpet with Cantus Thüringia, in a concert on Friday the 2nd of May, under the direction of Bernhard Klapprott. Together we gave performances of J.S Bach's "Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis" (BWV 21) and C.P.E. Bach's "Ich will dem Herrn lobsingen" (H821b),

Last summer, on my way to various concerts in Germany, I needed a few overnight stays in Holland. I was fortunate to be able to stay with Graham Nicholson in The Hague. While I was there he showed me two horns he had been making in his workshop; detailed replicas of instruments by Leichamschneider. We practiced duets for several hours using these instruments and they worked brilliantly.Over the summer

On Tuesday, 25th of March, I had the pleasure of giving a lecture and masterclass at Hyde Park Barracks for members of the Life Guards in the Household Cavalry and members of the Band of the Blues and Royals. I performed with the Altenburg Ensemble and we presented a short history of the Natural Trumpet, and then demonstrated each point using a suitable piece of music. We performed music by Bendinelli,

A recording from a concert given last week in Kaiserslautern (featuring Russell Gilmour) will be broadcast on German National Radio: 'Deutschland Radio Kultur' - this evening (Tuesday 28th January 2014) at 19:03 GMT (20:03 in German time) - after the news.Russell is playing with the French ensemble, 'Le Concert Lorrain' and he features in the first item in the programme: the Telemann Trumpet Concerto

The first trip of this year was to Nancy in France, to perform in the Opera National du Lorrain. What a great way to get over the so-called 'January blues'!Opera National du LorrainThe group, 'Les Talens Lyriques' (led by Christophe Rousset) were great, both musically and organisationally. I was looked after very well, and they had provided accommodation a short walk from the opera house and each room

I had the opportunity to hear the Orchestra of the 18th Century under the inspiring leadership of Frans Brüggen. They were performing in the Polish Radio Studio 1, as part of the Chopin Piano Festival, 2013. Hearing the orchestra under Brüggen was the fulfilment of a long-held ambition, on account of their amazing recordings and excellent reputation. It was a real privilege to

On Sunday 28th July, Russell performed in the Burgundy region of France with the Gabrieli Consort - directed by Paul McCreesh.The concert was part of the Beaune Festival. The group gave a performance of L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato (HWV 55) by Handel, which was streamed live online. It will be broadcast on television in September. The online stream of the concert is available to

Russell performed works by Handel and Bach at Hampton Court Palace on the 28th of June 2013. He was privileged to perform with Crispian Steele-Perkins and William Russell.(L-R) Russell Gilmour, William Russell & Crispian Steele-Perkins

On Wednesday 5th of June at 19:30, Russell Gilmour and David Kilgallon will be performing lively and traditional celtic music for trumpet and organ in St. Thomas' Church in Douglas. Admission is free, and there will be an opportunity to sponsor our upcoming CD recording project upon exit. A great way for visitors to the Island to hear some of our musical heritage!

Just before the roads closed for the Isle of Man TT Races today, as an extra part of his initiation as a marshal - Russell was asked if he would entertain the assembled spectators by his fellow marshals at Quarterbridge.(L-R) Russell Gilmour & Roger Birtles raise £85 for the TT Helicopter Fund from generous spectators at QuarterbridgeWalking through the crowds, Russell played such classics as

The "Un-Natural Trumpet" : 7th April 2013With the launch of their new recording of Monteverdi's L'Orfeo and to celebrate the Taverner Consort's 40th Anniversary, Andrew Parrott organised a day of lectures at the Oxford University Faculty of Music and Bate Collection of Musical Instruments. Andrew asked me to give a lecture about the Natural Trumpet. The lecture was held on the 7th April 2013.In

By the time Giovani Gabrieli had died, St. Mark's Basilica was already 541 years old.The building, as I am sure you know, is colossally incredible. With over a million million pieces of mosaic on the ceilings and seven domes - it's a rather impressive sight. Look down and you also won't be disappointed: the intricate stone floor is detailed beyond comprehension. Architecturally, this building has a

I've now graduated from the Royal College of Music. I went to the graduation ceremony, walked across the stage wearing the gown and hood, listened to some speeches, picked up my certificate, raised a glass with my course-mates and chatted to all and sundry.One of my fellow graduates asked me, "so, what will you be doing now that you've finished?" My answer to myself was simple: I haven't finished really.To

I have spent the last few days in Wrocław in Poland. A beautiful city, with lots going on. They are currently building a new home for the Philharmonic (which I am told will be the best acoustic of any concert hall in central Europe) and the Euro 2012 football trophy has been unveiled since we have been here. There is lots happening. Also, yesterday it was 25°C, which was an added bonus.We are here

English Slide Trumpet Presentation:The current form of the Presentation is changing. I'm getting rid of most of the text and just using the images as my impetus. I'm working on the basis that people will learn more with a clearer structure.Less is more.It's good to print it out and swap the pages around. Computers are good, but for certain things - they can sometimes be a barrier."The English Slide

I performed on an original 19th Century Slide Trumpet from the Royal College of Music Museum of Instruments as well as giving demonstrations on the Natural Trumpet (without holes) on the 30th April 2012, 12:20 - 13:00 - Durrington Room, RCM. This twenty-five minute lecture presentation will focus on Thomas Harper Senior (1786-1853) and Thomas Harper Junior (1816-1898) and other leading exponents

This vintage Selmer "Manhattan" trumpet from the early 1920s has a remarkable history. It belonged to my great-uncle, Jim Vickers. Uncle Jim played this trumpet all over the world and even in a performance for the King of Iraq - with the Royal Signals.The instrument is what we would now call a 'small bore' trumpet. I used to think that it was the early 1920s recording techniques that were responsible

Dear all,I will be performing Bach's Second Brandenburg Concerto on the Natural Trumpet on Friday 24th of June at 19:30 in the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall at the Royal College of Music (RCM).Ashley Solomon and the RCM Historical Performance department will be joined by Neal Peres Da Costa and students from the Sydney Conservatorium to give a varied programme of music by Bach, Handel (Concerto

Russell Gilmour – Introduction:When were you born?1988Where do you live?London…but in the last 12 months I’ve lived in Manchester (where I did my Undergraduate Degree) and I’m originally from the Isle of Man.Russell Gilmour – The Instrument:What is your instrument?Trumpet and Natural Trumpet.What make of instrument do you use?Frank Tomes – Natural Trumpet.When did you start to play your

I recently enjoyed a trip to Brixen, Italy where I performed Mozart’s C Minor Mass and “Jupiter” Symphony with Musica Saeculorum - under the direction of Philipp von Steinaecker. It was a beautiful and fascinating place - which made for a wonderful tour.The music was excellent and it was brilliant to meet and hear so many fabulous musicians from all over Europe.It was also enjoyable to visit

Russell Gilmour on CKUA Radio, Alberta, Canada prior to the “Mission Hill Brass Band and Friends” Concert. Russell was interviewed by CKUA Radio in Edmonton. The above sound recording is the result of this recording. With gracious thanks to CKUA and Brian Dunsmore for their kind permission to use this interview on www.russellgilmour.co.uk. Special thanks to Gordon Russell for his organisational

Next month, Russell is set to perform in the Winspear Centre in Edmonton, Canada in the “Mission Hill and Friends” Concert with the Mission Hill Brass Band. He will be performing the Haydn Trumpet Concerto in Eb on the Keyed Trumpet and Let the Bright Seraphim on the Natural Trumpet with Soprano soloist Catherine Abele.“Mission Hill Brass will be joined by the Ukrainian Male Chorus of Edmonton,

Performing “Let the Bright Seraphim” and Purcell “Trumpet Voluntary” at Westminster Abbey, LondonI was very fortunate to be asked to play in Westminster Abbey and what a fantastic experience it was! The acoustic was phenomenal and the sound of the trumpet reverberated for around ten seconds (or so it felt). I performed with Soprano, Anna Sandstrøm, who I met at Dartington earlier this year

The Natural Trumpet: Original Instruments - “Original Ears”?“Original Ears” - By Bruce Haynes - from” The End of Early Music - Oxford University Press, 2007University College of London - North and South CloistersKatie Hodges (Left) - with the ensemble of new Natural Trumpet players. L-R Katie Hodges (Conducting), Andrew Thompson (sitting), Maria Jose Pinilla, Brian Read, Dearbhla Nolan, Jonathan

University College of London Music SocietyThe Natural Trumpet: Original Instruments - “Original Ears”?“Original Ears” - By Bruce Haynes - from” The End of Early Music - Oxford University Press, 2007University College of London - North and South CloistersKatie Hodges (Left) - with the ensemble of new Natural Trumpet players. L-R Katie Hodges (Conducting), Andrew Thompson (sitting), Maria Jose

Highly Recommended:Adnams Brewery Tour:http://brewerytours.adnams.co.ukFollowing on from the Christmas Oratorio in Farnham, I travelled to Suffolk with David Staff, who had been playing first trumpet in the same Christmas Oratorio. We had planned to visit the Adnams brewery on a brewery tour the following day (Sunday) and set off to Southwold early that morning. We were shown around the distribution

Bach: Christmas OratorioSt. Andrew’s ChurchFarnham: Surreywith The Brandenburg Baroque SoloistsOf course the highlight I was expecting in this Christmas Oratorio was David Staff’s playing in the final Chorus: “Lxiv. Choral: Nun Seid Ihr Wohl Gerochen” which really did steal the show, however another of the highlights of this concert was hearing Pip Eastop and Tom Kane play horn in “Xlii.

I collected my Tomes Trumpet from Frank’s house in Wimbledon. It works fantastically and is truly beautiful. Frank is such a craftsman.Bill Tuck has contacted me asking me to do a concert with Katie Hodges in London also with the possibility of doing a workshop or lecture about the Natural Trumpet. I am very much looking forward to doing this.Frank Tomes in his workshop in Wimbledon - pictured holding